The crowd sprung from their hiding spots, darting to the Pillar, flailing weapons and roars. I was late to the call; even Juke went ahead without me, but once I got my bearings, I sprinted in with my tendril brandished.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxRLEIc15x
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2fSvHUvGs
The truth was, though I ran with purpose, I hadn't the slightest clue what to do. I looked left and right and observed the other members of the crowd. Some took up battles with guarding Bringers, others continued their onslaught. I slowed down, thinking of offering my help, but the crowd members made their adeptness in combat immediately known to me. As assuring as it was to see, it left me lodged in place. I looked around frantically, shaking sweat off my head with every turn.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhNNHqPYEr
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuFLg1GGTv
"Kid! Over here!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXua8FjRSjz
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG5KJGylW3
A voice called out to me– Juke's, and immediately I was brought back to the moment. He stood near the entrance of the Pillar, and to that destination I dashed. My head turned left and right rapidly, and I had to duck a few too many times to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Once I arrived, I skidded to a stop.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuZsX8C9Rm
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDnz2EYdXt
"Ya ready!?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5aR4TWhle
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2XXMog7Oj
"Don't ask! Let's just go!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylzC0u0zgG
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFPJwDN7HH
We barged into the building with the rest of the squad. Nearly half of the members branched from the group to battle the guarding Bringers. I could only catch Lola and Pars before they finished their assault. Their attacks were effective and quickly incapacitated the members, if not outright killed them.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ2iSbNMqP
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRis4aTWh9
I couldn't help but avert my gaze at the bloodshed. Doing so, I noticed I was just about to ram into the person ahead of me. I quickly stopped, grazing the man's coat but narrowly avoiding a clash. I held my hand to my chest, frantically grateful, then stood there wondering why he stopped in the first place416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t45PHndBO
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgugyuGaPmV
Fortunately, I was promptly answered.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZMyRr7DRl
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RYNH4gUvs
"Everyone, listen! Form a double-file line with your group! As we ascend floors, the leading team will detach and battle whoever is on that floor! Am I clear!?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUsErDNdDA
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp5zYrBJWu
YEAH!416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVX6Mxssv8
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DupgbW2LQ
I was ready for the roar this time, but still, I shook, because the plan Lola had just created hurled me into a spiral of disorganized questions. But I hadn't the time to even form them; the crowd moved immediately after the instructions were yelled. They went ahead of me, charging, and I would've done nothing but stand there and stare if it wasn't for the smack on my back.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L2SLPJE0B
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xpgSDXjhg
"Ack!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCVwJAFG1L
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnFDfAVkYa
I flashed my gaze at the culprit: none other than Juke.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxe9tGd7jK
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrotBEXQp7h
"Now ain't the time, kid! Hurry!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1jddF318S
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkoBCVNjcf
"R-Right!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPKtFsX5wi
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv4H8q5dBA
I shook my head rapidly as we followed the rest of the group, slapping my cheeks over and over. I almost folded then and there. Chiding myself verbally wouldn't suffice. I quickly resolved myself as we ascended the first set of stairs, disjointed from the rest of the squad. When we arrived at the second floor, the group was still again. I thought for a moment that Lola might've forgotten something, but as I peered around the crowd and saw who stood before us, I became just like them.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRsehXyu0q
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrnLll5ZTT
"...I wanted to nip it in the bud. But there are many of you."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvGGuOiTPX
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAN7w6IdDh
Standing with a pose that revealed no fear, the Harbinger of Anger and a group of lackeys blocked the way.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9DwTjZVg2
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvFIuoYEK
"Crap!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz6j1fOR4x
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J3tMYoFxx
I was worried, naturally. Having fought her before, I knew of her strength. But this was a different scenario. This time, I had a group of powerful fighters with me. By our sheer numbers, she shouldn't be a considerable threat.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzvn5xx7mY
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhMDIrrmPK
However, she still stood like she was. And that– that is what made me shudder.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy68eDPa7oJ
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0Mv18K3Yt
"Well," she started, "make a move, will you? Otherwise, reinforcements will come."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkyhY4JPo8
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVTEuqRXJQ
That comment put everyone on high alert, and only made me sweat more profusely. Having just been told that there is a time limit to this operation was a kick to the stomach. I looked at the rest of the crowd. They were brandishing their weapons and seemed to be readying their spells. I raised my tendril, half-heartedly ready to strike.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBd0oJnfjV
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW41AsoayeT
However, nobody made a move. Nobody but Lola, who walked ahead of the crowd, her two-pronged dagger in hand.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDQyKQz31Z
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4KuCYI1sd
"I'll handle this one. Everyone, move ahead."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WLMrCbfBZ
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7DZT4joxq
"L-Lola!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HYKrMyUoy
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iHdjShx1f
That was Dave's voice. I had never heard him stutter until then.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStLr12z6zR
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg0ckpqwKV
"I'll be fine. We don't have time to argue, just move! Go!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jfq7gQ8Rc
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqctlZiFG05
And the crowd did. It dispersed throughout the room. I went to the left side, eyeing the Bringers and preparing to respond to any attacks. The Harbinger just clicked her tongue and stepped forward.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsCPrkU4RF
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziIOedCKBt
"This will be easier on me. You and I. Are you ready?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TU66PECeH
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp4YaxA8pA
"Why, as ready as I'll ever be."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw23k8k8jX
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGQkupfcuH
Shockingly, she ignored the rest of us. The few lackey Bringers were overwhelmed by our numbers The rest of the crowd descended, but I hung around for a moment and looked. I started at the floor. I saw blood and torn fabric that didn't come from the enemy, and as I raised my head my gaze fell on the two women.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zn6rHcP6i
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTK6B1JcYc
Lola glanced at me. Her face was rigid, but her eyes said enough. I gritted my teeth and ascended the stairs, silently praying.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF2SaIbkKq
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09PfIHwpbX
–
–
–416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ499qFfMtQ
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4i6VDUJmL
Provided that she was sober, Lola was extraordinarily talented at keeping a calm face. It was necessitated by her loathsome job. It wasn't just for fighting, but for looking good while doing it, because that was expected for someone in her position.
Lola had no reason to keep that face of hers at that moment, but even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to keep it for long.
"Hah. How oh how did I wind up here?"
Through the rubber grip her dagger slowly slipped from her palms. She tapped on it with her finger rhythmically– pinky first, index last, over and over. It was an instinctive thing for her. It had to be for it to happen because all her being was focused on the monster ahead.
A Harbinger. Elusive as they were, the only thing the highly-positioned such as herself knew was that their powers were mysterious and unpredictable. Fortunately, this one was historically noisy.
"You're the Harbinger of Anger, correct?"
"What's it to you, filth?"
"It wouldn't be wise for me to speak any further. I wouldn't want to leak any secrets, would I?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWkHuP5naF
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5T8z9rtGP
By the standards of the Pillars, the room was spacious. Desks and chairs occupied space intermittently, and none were in such a position that they'd become serious obstructions. Despite the ideal conditions, Lola's brow twitched, because it was the abundance of furniture that allowed her powers to be so effective. And due to the material the foundation and exterior of the building were made of, she had ever greater restrictions.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBtKEvqrwI
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP4nWyFnp4
Though, to her irritated admission, it was too risky and tedious to suspend anything bigger than a room.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vULui2VVd
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vb0ZWURCT
She shifted a leg back and shrunk her posture, pointing her dagger like a cat rearing to pounce. She didn't move, though. Her other hand hid behind her back, expelling mana and forming a mass of rock. The Harbinger tilted her head in response.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJlLtcGCvL
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ5XlPobxg
"Do you have something you want to say?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO1XUAsH4s
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc9Jtszpy3
Lola slightly shuddered. Her guess was spot-on but said it in a fashion like she had just invaded her mind.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyBzaaBPxE
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuSSdrW5vJ
"...A name, perhaps? It's just common courtesy."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6za0mpWFd
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaJfhu15mG
"Oh, please. You should already know my name."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEk2VnafMk
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMViT6xrCXb
"I'm sorry, but all I know is your title."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV3wY0mxvH
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVZ315mnTb
The Harbinger threw her head back while rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to respond, but suddenly, she took a defensive stance with her knife with a reverse grip. The shift made Lola jump, and her mana expulsion was interrupted.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT5BtlYFvT
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4WmNUtMwb
"You're sneaky. I'll have to fight you head-on."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUJna1NL6c
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm1FOHgs63
The Harbinger took a similar stance to Lola, reeling her body back, and preparing to dash.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFD3z1Calq
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli9jpOCBG4
"Call me Anima."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJhuQMGyRj
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS8d56QSGt
Her words came out of her mouth like hurled stones. Sluggish, spoken through a calm demeanor, they were laced with an apathy that stabbed at Lola's composure. A flurry formed in her chest, the one she felt every time she had to do the dirty part of her job; a putrid, crimson red. Only now, its color was blighted with a grassy yellow. After Lola's initial shock, the change dwindled in power. It was the same business as always, after all.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiQHy9EMCn
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hpn6p59ae
The both of them gazed into each other's eyes. Anima narrowed hers, while Lola's did their best to scan.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh6ROFL1W5
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRe73R6frm
Then, the Harbinger dashed.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlPZTpOF1q
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn44NcxpfOS
She charged at Lola with brisk steps, holding the knife out like it was a battering ram. Her speed was surprising, but Lola reacted accordingly, dashing backward. Anima clicked her tongue, stopped her advance, and veered to the side. It surprised Lola, but she dispelled it quickly when the image of a flying chair grew closer and closer. She couldn't duck, so she stepped to the side, but an armrest of the chair caught her shoulder.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfmnwpxz6D
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo1bOhW7hK
"Ngh!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppvmRepLIw
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39ATb9Q21w
It hurt, but a bite on the lips drowned the pain. Anima's absurd move confused her and raised dozens of questions, but she had the time to answer none. Her opponent advanced, getting close enough to attempt a few swings. Lola dodged the first two, but after ducking the third, she pointed her dagger and thrust it at Anima's chest. But though it looked like it was sure to hit, Anima strafed to the side and avoided it perfectly. Lola's body committed to the trajectory of the knife just long enough for Anima to–416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DVHeL5JGh
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWadFefjHSJ
**THUD**416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEoPViPM7L
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwMC7oD16T
She delivered a kick to Lola's jaw, disorienting her and sending her rolling across the floor. Though it didn't hurt very much, the hit sent her head spinning. She got up quickly, though staying on her legs was arduous.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUTykP3HtB
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsCmCtNmdp
She caught Anima sprinting towards her. Too confused to make a complex motion, she simply fell on one of her knees and began mana expulsion.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEkpeALgRC
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGFnsGpoGg
"--!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgXd1wElGc
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5Ryd0jnNO
Anima backed off, and from where she stood a slab of stone was erected from the ground, only to sloppily fall a second later.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoLcaTp7Hi
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXq8iCFPHu
Lola sighed, "There isn't enough space to work with. Tch."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksTHQVeZTQ
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq74neUhNs
As she regained her senses, she lamented the state of the room. Even the floor was magic-resistant, making it nigh-impossible to use her earth magic in such an offensive way. She desperately wanted to devise a plan, beginning to regret how carelessly she entered the battle, but her opponent handed her no such luxury.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8mPndZQ1c
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4z7hwQH4S
Immediately, Anima jumped over the limp stone slab brandishing her knife. Lola was forced again to act defensively, backing away from the aggressive swings of the Harbinger. She swung once and twice, then followed up with a stab. Lola prepared to step back, but a sudden collision halted her.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsHRWQYbyZ
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEBE3XuUls
She had hit a wall.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPy4dTMzIA
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwpYrLL7Od
"--!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NT5jRlNXb
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn8XBb2T6u
If she opted to move her whole body, she'd be punctured. If she stepped to the side the knife would still nip her considerably. Enduring such a taxing injury this early wasn't an option. Thus, instead of moving her body–416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2GazuuGRo
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PHbs4wSDR
**CLING**416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzTg8RgZEi
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmn0fzNWzG
She intercepted Anima's blade with her own, catching it between the dual prongs of her dagger. The Harbinger's eyes widened for a moment, clearly surprised. Lola made note of that as a struggle ensued.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGSGShiLFz
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi1hH7Tu71
"Huh. I can't break free."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRniuBv0o1K
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgPG0Ce5ue
The serrations on her knife caused it to get caught on the dagger. She couldn't dislodge it, but Lola's weapon was just as stuck as her opponent's. Anima jerked her leg, clearly preparing a kick, but Lola didn't react. The Harbinger delivered a blow to her right. She winced, but in her head, she celebrated.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPyzUwSpro
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2QpAk9RDT
"--Huh?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eYxvrM4Oy
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshoJdpJH8T
"Caught you!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu6uiO9Jiw
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcFSDkUuSS
She had Anima's leg wrapped in her arm. She tightened her hold, squeezing hard enough that a lesser fighter's bones would've shattered. Then, she began mana expulsion.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf0KzufdZq
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyvX18qF9M
"You!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLax06i20P
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOajOzZLcai
Anima's panic was clear and immediate. At first, she attempted to pull her leg out of Lola's grasp, but she could barely make it nudge an inch. It did, however, make a spell difficult to produce.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUo3XgPmuw
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX60XpJUAX
It was laborious, but Lola was sure that she guaranteed a blow. She formed a blade of earth, focusing on width rather than length, and prepared to blast it through the Harbinger's leg. But then, she suddenly felt a force at her front, and her body jerked forward.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwJX9DGL99
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIsdzViaTM
The Harbinger freed her knife from Lola's dagger. Of course, it was the obvious decision when she forfeited the support of both arms. Lola had no time to curse herself for her oversight, because now a blade was soaring at her face. She ducked her head in time and, acting on instinct, she tackled Anima with a headbutt to her stomach.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0phyU1Fzu8
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H4aQpBFgz
"Hrk!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHr9kOLvwk
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf8dfpfuEe
She recoiled from the blow, taking a few jagged steps back. Lola realized that she let go of her leg, but she still had the stubby cylinder of stone to hurl. And hurl it she did.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdkmXr6Tdn
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdoaFZ3Wce
The Harbinger still reeled from the strike. Even through her rushed and lousy aim, Lola was confident that her cylinder would slug her opponent's head. Only, that didn't happen.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo2YbvI2FE
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYsALVs4Pq
By an inch the cylinder missed, and it wasn't because Lola aimed poorly, but because the Harbinger let herself stumble onto the ground, landing on her ass.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbSDBAJFac
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPSTU2p27A
Lola's bewilderment was profound, but she wasn't foolish enough to avoid capitalizing on her opponent's state. She leaped forward and stabbed the dagger from above, but she only hit the ground as the Harbinger rolled away. She hopped on her feet and tossed a haymaker kick that Lola retreated her head just in time for. Anima's follow-up blow was too sudden for Lola to dodge.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55Y0ZBrhUG
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQahNPd1lVt
She ate a heel to the head, a strike so fierce she flew to the wall. Fortunately, her chin wasn't hit, so Lola avoided being dazed. But her vision was blurred and her hearing was impaired.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8kDoVXPXd
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab48a0qGxg
Lola, however, had a spectacular guess as to what her opponent would do next, and so she retaliated. She placed both her hands on the ground, carelessly expelling mana and producing not a slab of earth, but a wave of water.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROrt6Fbtmw
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWntTQ0nw1
A few seconds passed until her senses returned. When her vision was clear, she was pleased to find herself still alive, but now the entire room was damp and flooded. Anima was on the other side, similarly drenched, though she clearly suffered no damage.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEPEs9Lxmn
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOGPzSao53
Not that she could muster that much mana, anyway.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH5ndoOY4M
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCiVXn4qJs
"...This is irritating."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YTEajgYhb
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIShRDPuQo
Lola got up to her feet, contorting her face. She made sure to at least keep one eye open because the Harbinger wasn't someone to be lax around. She found it difficult to keep her focus, though.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SQXkWB5Lv
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0dkBEHjGt
This moment. This eternal, present moment; how she loathed it. Her opponent was slippery in figure and form, escaping every jab Lola threw her way. And now, the entire floor was ruined. The furniture was maimed and jumbled by the force of the water. The carpet absorbed so much that it looked like it would burst.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxMP0RPxxm
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJenqnCRTSH
It had barely been a few minutes, but Lola was beginning to get tired. Her stamina was unusually low, but with how much she drank to suppress her stress, it shouldn't have come as a surprise. She chuckled. For a moment, she had an awful load of clarity.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYyVSJEb72
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddht20OHZm
Giving up became more and more alluring.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH0RWTygSk
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiTVSEqHeq
"You're a bizarre woman. You also annoy me greatly."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJQineeMzu
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Muh3S7xK2
"You find me annoying? Well, the feeling is mutual."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlKR1qDK5N
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJdkiF8Nlc
But she knew better than anyone that she couldn't just... do that. So, she sighed. She sighed and shook her head.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooGMkUNIrs
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPThuq2lYQ
The Harbinger looked at her with vigilance. Lola suspected that she had earned some respect from her, but she doubted that would make the fight any easier.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AlaCMNauZ
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ke5fw4OTS
As it was right now, she couldn't make any progress. Anima hadn't even used her magic yet, and yet Lola struggled to deliver a meaningful blow. At the rate she was going, she'd be whittled down, engaged in a battle of attrition she didn't have the mettle to endure.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlGp9NQswC
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2EcU55imP
But options were scarce. Any direct attack would either be dodged or countered and any spell was either too weak or suffered the same fate. With how aggressive Anima was being, she had no time to imbue the room with her mana.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJfhlDzM3A
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiytlYqLWpw
"...Unless, of course."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvZIt2C79p
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCurEtKE2g
She had to concede that her opponent was the better fighter in hand-to-hand combat; those few exchanges were all it took for her to realize. But it seemed to Lola that she was the far better mage.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDm8ZOkY4g
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUtII2Zv4a
She took a stance, holding her dagger in one hand and keeping her other free. From now on, she would play to her strengths.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MgKbQtiqK
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PV6LGkG28
"I don't like what you're planning!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegnQvsKQbW
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Sk27FcaS
Anima was an opponent who had an impossible ability to predict actions. Anima was an opponent who was cautious about and loathed being confrontational. Yet despite this, she was a skillful aggressor. But she was not impenetrable.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAIXExp79B
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNinT9Rlgy
As the Harbinger charged for the umpteenth time, Lola remarked at how inconsistent her ability to predict was. The reason for the discrepancy was unknown to her, and she had no opportunity to ponder and deduce it. That, however, would lose all its relevancy if every inch of the room was a weapon.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNryo9NZrBK
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeVvIgD5X4
Her approach changed. Anima threw a small ball of fire at Lola, but expecting divergence, Lola was unfazed. She smacked the spell away with her dagger, preparing to back away again, only to hesitate once she noticed how close the Harbinger was. Anima thrust her knife– an action parried by Lola's swift movements. She attempted a riposte, but with a reckless motion, had her dagger countered with a resounding clang.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3nrJZUIyK
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvjOIK9lHF
It became clear to Lola that knifeplay was inimical for progress. Thus, she backed away, a motion that took advantage of Anima's poor posture. The Harbinger clicked her tongue and prepared another spell. It wasn't a haphazard product this time, but a sizeable, dangerous wall of flame. Lola had a skulking smirk, but a telling sea of sweat.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ36jZ30EM3
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UMQANThUE
It became time to set her plan in motion. She released the bubbling mana in her hand and suspended it behind her back, then formed a mass of water of similar size. She took great relief in seeing Anima's eyes widen, reeling her arm and flinging her spell.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7yT5Ugu3o
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTaCm0CQU9
The Harbinger hastily threw her own spell to match Lola's. The two met, and a cloud of vapor burst from the collision, spreading through the entire room instantly. The haze was surprisingly thick; Lola knew that staying in place would only hurt her. She grabbed her suspended mana and continued supplying it, running through the steam and keeping a watchful eye–416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmfZQ6cXdH
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiacb8x52PU
**THUD**416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZjkXwRIgX
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1xdo9XasT
But then she felt a great force slam her stomach. She rolled across the room, clutching her gut. It wasn't even remotely a fatal blow, but she cringed as if her organs burst.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN08TmUrzTr
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH3JZUIZsv
She tried to stand on her feet. She was only halfway stable before she caught something shifting in the fog. She jerked to avoid it–416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX4dkYIqn6
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3MAaCodLo
"--Hrk!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopD9yLRYnE
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuD3ODvQfd
–but didn't move fast enough for it to miss.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkX5a3DB95
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYMpYyUO68
Her reaction wasn't a result of instinct, but a habit acquired from her time in the field. She lifted her foot and swiped it in front of her, connecting with something. The steam began to dissipate, and she caught the Harbinger several meters away from her, but now her right femur felt one nudge away from being dislocated from her hip. She dashed away and looked at the new source of pain: her sizzling gash.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w6rHq8FPn
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2DrVDuoaa
It was on her right shoulder. She was thankful that she wore protective gear, because otherwise the cut could've net her a lost arm. Though, with how much it bled, it was still nothing to scoff at. She collapsed for a moment, scoffing.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zvD9MQ096
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyXROWRKPg
"This..."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ34R5rp15
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE27A8Y9EN
She hardly had the strength to verbalize her complaints, but her ire wasn't her denied by her sudden dumbness. She paused releasing mana into her spell, suspending it into the air again and performed mana spinning on herself.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWHERr3xY1
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGEa8JEmro
She could only do a little before her opponent returned to harassing her. Lola clicked her tongue, but got on her feet and brandished her dagger.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bNgg0kFi4
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dE17z5pbx
"I couldn't even, wrap it–!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRWrinOADv
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWd6R6cNMZ
Lola realized just how much trouble she had keeping calm. It stunned her for a moment, but ultimately, she still decided to challenge Anima's approach.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcWNe5Ba39
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrRetYHYjA
The Harbinger's eyes didn't widen. It was then, she stopped moving.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHKRxvmDtR
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0l6LUDVev
"--sneaky!"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ09yo3d2x
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnHbYkjcYN
Anima thrust her knife again, and again Lola parried it with her dagger. It wasn't as impactful, having it be done with her non-dominant hand, and Anima took advantage of it to try a slash. Lola moved reeled her head just in time and retaliate with an upward kick. Anima blocked it with her forearm, though it was only so effective, and since it was Lola's right leg she winced from the move. The Harbinger tried thrusting again, but had her blade caught in between Lola's.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkyQc2cRMl
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2X6KfWvrx
Instead of baiting a grab, Lola acted fast. She twirled her wrist and jerked her arm to her, weakening Anima's grip, then hurtled her arm the otherway, and Anima's knife flew across the room.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiUeweMx8H
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0R3Vcajze
Anima seemed rather happy, though, and it was apparent why when Lola received a fist to the face.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cj8sSLYIB
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5vLTxcquv
She managed to brace her jaw before the impace, but it still made her head ring. She was met with another one, and then a third one to her chest.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf8Lai8joZ
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8UOibri4V
And of course, none of them were strong enough to send her flying. It was only after a short flurry, a storm of blows and jabs, that the Harbinger hit her hard enough to create distance.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzwNZ4zg9V
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv4atbyFNc
Lola didn't roll, but flew straight to the wall, sliding down while coughing and wheezing.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb70qJH3Cm7
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx9FMzPAMT
...And I wanted to play to my strengths. What a bitch, this woman...416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzrE6SCwAo
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk4SSHUrR5
She checked her spell and determined it still wasn't ready. Only a little more– only a little more and the battle would finally turn to her side.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyTeyL9NpO
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YmtK6jcUP
She knew that. She know that, but still, she hardly wanted to get up.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPjAcPMBZB
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO3xe7xcnE
Even as the Harbinger went to grab her knife, moseying as if she hadn't an opponent at all, she had no drive to stand.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIbl7pg5Fd
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIfJ4fK2AZ
So instead, she kept focusing, and focusing, and focusing–416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnly4RRuQg
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvKTpAKWc1
"You've been an interesting opponent. I may not show it, but I'm aching. Aching and exhausted."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oyA0xLtYp
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMgTI1T7pl
Her gait didn't reflect her words. She trudged firmly.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTKroVky03
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZjR7g7Dzx
"I win, though–"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1CYDzrFE3
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLodDZ7ONmD
Then, at that moment, she displayed the greatest expression of shock. Widened eyes, a sudden jump, and a profound grimace.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtLoVzQcxu
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9L1QlubgT
Anima didn't even spare her an insult, she darted her head to the walls and sprinted. Lola eyed her and noticed she was heading to the exit. Then, listlessly slapping her right hand on the floor, her mana permeated throughout the soaked room.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn0zG59FkM
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdaE3oZlWB
The effect was immediate. The room's stern architecture dawned a sludge-like form, one that slowed Anima down instantly. She threw Lola a look of scorn and raised her knife, hurling it at her. A piece of the floor rose to intercept it.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3rZ505E7o
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjZEyOUReH
"I hardly need to think to control this room. It's like Intent in a way, you know?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0sZNoPHUb
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU4bWJ1gZZ
She got on her legs, using a half-broken chair that slid to her as a support. She eyed the Harbinger, who, though still looked furious, was surprisingly calm.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24Y3mxAtgW
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2HqsgjB04
"Can't move your legs?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ztd3JA8O2
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGf9oqF2NE
"You cheap shit. You're everything I hate about people."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WhQLDHwjh
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVqEBkvLVZ
"--Pfff, haha! Where is this coming from?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9QQwcQXLH
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HUmkTcLc0
Even Lola was surprised at her laughter. It detracted her from her disgruntling situation for a moment. She gazed at the Harbinger. She did nothing more but gaze.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXgudMg6WL
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu1OQuWEKv
"Aren't you going to do something?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQAnuI6t0D
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw04ymmnnVm
"...You're right. Strange, do you want to die? I would've kept you alive a little longer if you hadn't said anything."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0ICSckCjO
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO5B0e5Vji
The Harbinger rolled her eyes in response. Lola commanded the room to form a spike out of the furniture, then created a mock catapult out of the floor.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi81FRBfMe
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6vYoD7LDF
It didn't fire immediately, however, because it was at moments like these that Lola always paused before firing.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pvk7eoLEq
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4sQjbehBd
That would reveal itself to be a mistake.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9i1GYZbSj
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfpSIM7exQ
Anima suddenly ducked and extended her hand, firing a ball of fire that had little time to form, but was strong enough to blast the catapult. Lola was brough back to the present, and again she commanded the room to attack, but as she did, Anima pointed her arms in the opposite direction of the wall, and then–416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZgrcvAPpf
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcBDgdmQBu
**BOOM**416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TxOw4NmgS
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XS9p3MF52
A gust of wind powerful enough to send every unfixed object to the opposite side blew in the room. Lola was sent to the wall, which cushioned her collision instead of exacerbating it, but it still hurt. When she opened her eyes, she saw a giant hole, and her opponent on the other side.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB5BmahO6B
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tpz9rgQN3
Anima stood up. Even from this distance, she could make out all the scratches from the debris. They exchanged looks. Lola expected Anima to turn and run, but she approached, stopping short of the hole in the wall.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJEckJcNxq
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcvDIlad82
"People like you," she said, pointing her bruised finger, "people like you. You fill me with putrid disgust, so loathsome I oughta spit at you."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s8h3lJvTZ
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrO2U6PXeb
"--?"416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI1GUoAk83
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrqZgmeJl1
"Go. Look at me like an oblivious child. It's fitting. It oozed from your every motion."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncaXackE4z
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKpZ24hPvK
She withdrew her head, turned around and ran. Lola was stumped for a moment, but she discarded her words. It was just the deranged ramblings of a Harbinger, after all.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRfZ7LjSWy
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAnEmWzYlP
"...Ehh."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaukXuUbYV5
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ1O0Si6gM
She shook her head. She focused on what was before her, what was relevant. She succeeded. That thought rang in her head through the various junk she was preoccupied with.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6oCilhHIR
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwq8O22Sv1
Yet again, here she was. A job completed, and her neighbors safer.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTDIJmKehD
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TK2q7vTOY
"..."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjAngXvG0x
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3AEPI4cnA
She wondered how much she'd really mind if the floor didn't stop that knife.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19jCOPpFqu
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3xtYBztif
"Mmm, well. Now isn't, the time for that."416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8QZs86BFs
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vT4gXG9vi
The wound on her shoulder still gushed blood. Her energy drained faster because of it, but she had to tend to it to live. She began mana spinning. Still hurt, still tired, still doused.416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHDRZs6s5n
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGVLc1PkIt
A new, quiet liquid brushed her cheeks.
416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC9tCuMIGp
and then Add to home screen.